Now that our second Roadster Roundup is under our belts, we can plan for next year, assuming our ragtag group of non-conformist rodders are invited back.  RR (#38) was a very enjoyable blend of roadsters, old and new friends, great weather and the beauty of Carmel by the Sea.  This year California Roadsters split into two groups and assaulted the Central Coast by both northern and southern routes.  Don Prieto led the southern contingency including: the Scanlins, Lindow, Greenes and Byers from his shop in Torrance.  We stopped at Joe’s beach cottage in Ventura to pick up Laurie and hear Joe bitch about his ballplayer neighbor's $5.0M, beautiful custom home, currently under construction.  Hey Joe don’t be a nimby, you can't stop progress and he’s increasing property values.  Think about the young chicks he’ll be entertaining in that ocean view spa.

It was then on to a quick bite at a burger shack in Carpentaria.  Sandy was waiting for us at the Peachtree, as we made an early arrival into SLO. 

The northern group got off to a slow start after Frank discovered he had a dead battery in The World’s Fastest Streetable Roadster, arriving an hour late at the Denny’s rendezvous, which according to Tony, was about as long as it took to get service.  The Curries, Correias, Terrells, Wilcoxs and Roseberrys proceeded on to Duane’s shop in the Valley, but they were further delayed by Empty Dick running out of gas and Diesel Ray thinking he was a trucker and pumping diesel no. 2 into one of his saddle tanks.  Green handle Ray, green handle!

The hapless group decided to take the longer inland route over the grapevine, versus the shorter, cooler route along Hwy 101, arriving several hours after the refreshed southern members enjoying cocktails on the veranda of the Peachtree.  

The evening was capped by an enjoyable dinner at 1865, with everyone arriving on time by foot.  President Phill and his female admirer’s snuck into town under the cover of darkness, since he was roadsterless.

In the morning the CRs hooked up with the SLO Roadsters for a combined assault on Hwy. 1.  The SLO guys had planned a leisurely run to Carmel with a lunch stop at Nepenthe.  Not everyone gets a once in a lifetime opportunity of driving Route 1 thru Big Sur in an open roadster with a bunch of buddies complemented by a warm and crystal clear day.

The run was concluded with a short cruise into the Carmel Valley Inn, being met by Max, who had planned our evening at the Baja Cantina, which has a well attended Thursday cruise night.

Friday was a chance to sleep in before a run to Max and Sue’s lovely home in Carmel Valley for a wonderful lasagna lunch and a tour of the Jamiesson’s estate complete with an array of Max’s rolling stock.  After lunch we were on to the RR’s planned tour of Don Orosco’s shop/museum including the Dick Flint Roadster, SoCal Coupe, plus exotics, race cars, customs and many projects.  Back at the Inn, the host San Jose Roadsters had a welcome buffet dinner for us.

Saturday was planned for a longer coastal roadster run, lunch at the Ventana, shopping in Carmel, the 17 Mile Drive, President’s meeting and the formal dinner/entertainment with Phill presenting an autographed copy of Don Prieto’s Hot Rod Chronicles to President John of the San Jose Roadsters.  Jack Stewart was heard mumbling, “I wish I had thought of that”.

The conversation, before departure on Sunday morning, was that #38 was the most successful RR ever, mainly due to the ambience of the Carmel location with coastal vistas, planned events, food & drink; but mostly crediting the hard work of the San Jose Roadsters.  

The run home again saw CRs splinter into inland and coastal groups.  The coastal group was cool in the shade, with a fabulous steak & eggs brunch at Jockos; while the inland group sweated along barren I-5 route and the grapevine. 

The major accomplishment of this year was absolutely no breakdowns.  Wait, word just in that our little buddy Tony didn’t disappoint us.  He broke a distributor cap on the way home, and was able to limp home on 7 cylinders.  

Maybe we’re finally getting the hang of this RR gig, with four less breakdowns than last year.